WHAT IS A TOURIST VISA?

A Tourist Visa allows a foreigner to enter South Africa as a visitor. There are countries whose nationals are exempted from having to apply for a Tourist Visa in order to enter South Africa. When planning to enter South Africa as a visitor for 90 days or less for travel or leisure purposes, you can check the Visa Exemption List below to find out if you need to apply for a visa before entering South Africa.

WHO SHOULD APPLY FOR A TOURIST VISA?

Those who are residents of countries that are NOT in the Visa Exemption List are required to apply for a Tourist Visa in order to enter South Africa. It must be applied for and processed in the resident country of the applicant. In most cases, visitors are also allowed one extension on their Tourist Visa per entry. Typically, an extension must be requested within 60 days from when the original issued visa expires.

The applicant must have a valid passport expiring no less than 30 days after the end of the intended visit. Applicants that are residents of one country, but hold a passport from a different country from that residency are allowed to apply for a Tourist Visa in their country of residence. The applicant must contact the appropriate South African Consulate in their country in order to apply for their visa, as not all countries have South African representation abroad. Tourist Visas are generally issued for 30-90 days, depending on which passport you hold, and extension time can vary depending on the discretion of the South African Consulate issuing the visa.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A TOURIST VISA?

The applicant must have accommodation plans or confirmed stay with family.

The applicant must be able to show proof of adequate funds to support his or her stay in South Africa.

A Visa Extension will not be granted for more than three months.

Statement or documentation detailing the purpose and length of the visit is required.

The applicant must have proof of a valid return or onward ticket or adequate financial means to purchase such a ticket to accommodate the return of the visa applicant.

The applicant must provide a medical report.

The applicant must provide a radiological report.

If the applicant is the spouse or dependent child of the holder of a visa issued in terms of section 11, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20 or 22 of the Act, a certified copy of such holder’s visa must be provided along with a written documentation of financial responsibility for the applicant.

LIST OF COUNTRIES EXEMPT FROM HAVING TO ACQUIRE A VISA

The citizen who is a holder of a national passport (diplomatic, official or ordinary) of the following countries / territories / international organisations is not required to hold a visa in respect of purposes for which a visitor’s permit may be issued or by virtue of being a person contemplated in section 31(3)(b) [accredited in SA] for an intended stay of 90 days or less and when in transit:

African Union Laissez Passer

Andorra

Argentina

Australia

Austria

Belgium

Botswana

Brazil

Canada

Chile (only ordinary passport holders)

Czech Republic

Denmark

Ecuador

Finland

France

Germany (except in diplomatic staff due to assume duty at the Embassy and Consulates of Germany in SA)

Greece

Iceland

Ireland

Israel

Italy

Jamaica

Japan

Liechtenstein

Luxemburg

Malta

Monaco

Namibia (90 days per year)

Netherlands

New Zealand

Norway

Panama (only ordinary passport holders) ​

Paraguay​

Portugal

San Marino

Singapore

Spain

St Vincent & the Grenadines

Sweden

Switzerland

Tanzania (90 days per year)

Trinidad & Tobago (only ordinary passport holders)

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (only ordinary passport holders)